Shaqiri to ignore Effenberg blast

New Stoke winger Xherdan Shaqiri has shrugged off the accusation his key motivation in joining the club was money.

Ex-Bayern Munich man Shaqiri completed his switch from Inter Milan to the Potters on Tuesday for a club-record £12million on a five-year contract.

The news has prompted criticism from former Bayern and Germany midfielder Stefan Effenberg, who was quoted as saying: "I do not understand Shaqiri's move to Stoke at all. You have been badly advised if you go there. This is a shame and a sad state of affairs. Only because they are throwing around cash? Is it really all about money for footballers these days?"

When asked about that yesterday at his unveiling at the Britannia Stadium, Shaqiri - who was also linked with Schalke and Borussia Dortmund - said of Effenberg: "He has no job at the moment, so he can talk - he's a free man.

"Anybody can talk who is free. But I don't want to comment on this. I will concentrate on my job - I'm happy to be here and I can't wait to play."